Among the Northern Andean countries strongly involved in the illegal coca and drug trade, Columbia is now the predominant coca producer. Coca is grown in the Andean jungles of South America and has been grown in the region for over 4 000 years. The growth of Coca has a negative impact on the environment as the jungles are cleared to create space to grow Coca.
Traditionally the Coca leaf is chewed to relieve the symptoms of altitude sickness as well as relieve hunger and tiredness. Today, the Coca plant is converted into Cocaine.